K. A. PARKER – GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY December 5, 2018 , 7:30pm -10:00pm
With dozens of songs recorded by such artists as George Duke, Gloria Loring and Juice Newton, K.A. PARKER is one of the top lyric teachers in the U.S., and has won the top prize in American Song Festival five times. A former staff-writer at Motown, she’s taught at Berklee College, Musician’s Institute, The Grove School, Trebas Institute, UCLA Extension, and more. Her students include major recording artists, music business professionals, and hundreds of working musicians and songwriters. As a music business professional, she has worked with BMG Music Publishing, CBS Songs (now Sony Music), ATV Music, Island Music, and royalty administrator at Motown. She is the only teacher in Los Angeles who has spent decades on both sides of the desk, both as a business person and a songwriter. Even with all the kudos & cred she has, she still goes out to events & workshops as an attendee because she knows there is ALWAYS something to learn! And as always, she will be listening to YOUR work too, so be sure to bring a copy of your lyrics AND YOUR MUSIC ON A CD, because streams, adaptors & dongles are still not as reliable. And yes, this amazing opportunity and PRICELESS information is FREE!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD (See map link below)
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY December 19, 2018 , 7:30-10:00pm
DEC 19th is our Christmas Party! Please come celebrate the end of an incredible year with us!
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD (See map link below)
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
MOLLY MARRS – GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY November 7, 2018 , 7:30pm -10:00pm
Molly Marrs! When you watch her documentary short you will understand why she is passionate about being an artist and what has motivated her. Molly’s vision is to become a voice for those who don’t have one. Her mission is to be more than just a performer, but rather a “symbol of hope.” Still in her 20s, she is already one of the few who has seen the top of the mountain & found the view obscured by unexpected clouds.
Born in China, raised in Texas, and at eighteen years old moved to L.A. pursue music and acting, Molly Marrs has been around the world. In 2014 Molly had the opportunity to collaborate with Shawn Stockman from Boyz II Men and Grammy Nominated producer Tommy Brown (TBHits), and recorded a five song EP that was never formally released. Next she worked with Italian DJ/Producer Otto Orlandi and the O Music Management, making guest appearances at Hakkasan and Omnia in Las Vegas, Temple Nightclub in Denver, and San Francisco. Represented by Bella Agency, Molly has multiple national commercials, a guest starring role on the Major Crimes television series, and print work for American brands in her portfolio.
She’s lived through the hitmaker machinery, seen bad deals, dealt with less than scrupulous industry types and more, and has quite a story to share. Her’s is the real story, the kind of stuff we ALL need to know. Yet her outlook is still genuine & joyful, because living the dream is just as amazing as finding the end of the rainbow.
Come find out what its REALLY all about! FREE!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD (See map link below)
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
RONNY SCHIFF – GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY October 3, 2018 , 7:30pm -10:00pm
Ms. Ronny Schiff is a well-respected musicologist, author, music book producer, musician, publisher, audio music programmer and literary agent, with years of experience in the music industry. Her company, Ronny Schiff Productions, produces and represents music books and trade books about music for a global market..
Over 2,000 music books and books about music bear Schiff’s name as editor, co-writer, agent, publisher, or author. Several of her music books have received the distinguished Paul Revere Award for overall concept and design excellence. She’s produced books for and worked with artists as diverse as Quincy Jones, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Iron Maiden, Billy Childs, and numerous jazz greats. She was on staff at Warner Bros. Publications, Almo (A&M) Publications, Cherry Lane Publications, Dick Grove School of Music and Hal Leonard Publications.
For Yamaha Music Division, Schiff was chief editor for the massive Music in Education project. She has represented many trade books on music that have enjoyed multiple printings including John Braheny’s Songwriting: The Craft & Business, Paul Zollo’s Songwriters on Songwriting, Dick Weissman’s How to Make a Living in Your Local Music Market, Jim Beloff’s The Illustrated History of the Ukulele, Dude McLean’s The Songwriter’s Survival Guide to Success: How To Pitch Your Songs, Richard Niles’s The Pat Metheny Interviews, and Shelly Peiken’s Confessions of a Serial Songwriter, for which the audio book she produced received a GRAMMY nomination in 2018.
She served for 10 years as Vice President of Audio Programming for DMI Music, where she established the Inflight Audio Programming Division by winning the prestigious bid for United Airlines in 1997. She subsequently developed the division to include American West Airlines, Ted Airlines, AMTRAK’s Surfliner, and Air Force 1 and 2. Her Inflight Division won the Avion Awards from the World Airline Entertainment Association in 2001—First Place Overall Channels and Second Place Individual Channel—and placed in the top three in both categories for five years running.
Schiff added a unique twist to audio airline programming by developing a Songwriter Interview channel, plus producing interviews of hundreds of major artists from around the globe, including Sheryl Crow, Carlos Santana, Rufus Wainwright, Paul Rodgers, Hilary Duff, Andrea Bocelli, Kris Kristofferson, Jason Mraz, Alf Clausen (The Simpsons), Tony Bennett, Jimmy Jam, Dave Brubeck, Ozomatli, The Matrix, Melissa Etheridge, EWF, Beck, and Mary J. Blige. For the airlines, she was responsible for programming over 1,000 songs every two months in 26 music genres and five languages (English, Mandarin, Japanese, Hindi, Spanish).
For DMI’s Private Label Radio division, Schiff programmed for clients as diverse as the Ralph Lauren Polo Mansion stores, Sofitel Los Angeles, Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store, Suntrust Banks, and Build-a-Bear Workshops, plus other luxury resorts, restaurants, retailers, and spas. She was a member of the DMI Music team that was awarded the AARP music-branding initiative. For the Disc Marketing Special Products division, she produced compilations for their targeted clientele, and served as musicologist to DMI’s Five Alarm Music Library for film, TV and advertising. Schiff is a Past President of the California Copyright Conference, past member of the Boards of Directors of The Association of Independent Music Publishers and L.A. Women in Music. She has taught Music Business and Music History courses at the university level at UCLA Extension, plus Music Business seminars at Cal State Northridge, Pierce College, Cal Poly Pomona, and the Los Angeles Unified School District. Her undergraduate major was in Secondary Music Education with a minor in English. Her main instrument was viola, and she continues to play guitar, ukulele, and fiddle.
In addition to Ronny Schiff Productions, she is currently a Career Counselor and instructor in music business courses at Musicians Institute, and was appointed to the Curriculum Committee for the establishment of a Masters Degree in Music Business at California State University at Northridge.
She’ll be coming to share a lil’ wisdom, listen to your stuff, and help you be all you can be, FREE!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD (See map link below)
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SHAWN CLEMENT AND ED COHEN – GUEST SPEAKERS
WEDNESDAY September 5, 2018 , 7:30pm -10:00pm
Shawn Clement’s credits include Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Entertainment Tonight, Extra Magazine, The Guiding Light, Ally McBeal, Donny and Marie, Married….With Children, Another World, Wasteland, As the World Turns, Crime & Punishment, Ray Bradbury Theatre, The Heights and many more. Just IMDB him & you’ll see. In addition to scoring, he also created songs that have reached cult status, as evidenced by the overwhelming response on Buffy websites & endorsements from Yamaha Guitars, Cakewalk Music Software, Seymour Duncan, Dean Markley Strings and others He recently completed construction of a full-production facility, Clemistry Ranch.
Starting his career working with people like: Jerry Greenberg (later President of Atlantic Records) Craig McGregor (Foghat), Bobby Torello (Edgar Winter), Michael Bolton, and many others, Ed Cohen relocated to Southern California. Pooling resources & experiences he met other like-minded artists & producers & created “Rock Garden Conspiracy”, an all-encompassing music conglomerate covering management, a music label, publishing and music placement. With over 50 years in the industry you can be sure he’ll have some great advice & stories to tell, & with a company run from a true artist’s perspective, this is one of those nights you NEED to bring your BEST to listen to, (with lyrics please) & important questions to get answered! Priceless information, FREE!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
JOANNE LEDESMA- GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2018 , 7:30pm -10:00pm
PITCH NIGHT WITH JOANNE LEDESMA!
Joanne now has one of the largest music libraries around, and is always looking for new music!
We do these a couple times a year, & every time it’s a full house, because not only is it an opportunity to have YOUR work heard by an industry pro, it’s also a great way to meet others, hear what’s out there competing for the same spots, and getting great real-world response from both Joanne and the crowd. Her full cred is listed several places (including links on our website & social media) so you can just go there if you want, or just come with your BEST on CD (lyric sheets too) & see why she is always welcomed back again & again to talk about what it takes to make it & how YOU can make it happen…and maybe have YOUR stuff go home with her!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
GUEST SPEAKER
MATT MORAN – WEDNESDAY June 6, 2018, 7:30-10:00pm: TBA
Matt Moran brings practical knowledge and proven methods to help you turn creativity into profitability. Not just hype, but real learning about how to actually make a living with what you do as a CREATIVE person! Strategies & tools for innovative collaboration. Focus & motivation. Online presence tips & how to set up successful house concerts, How to build teams & MUCH more! Author of The IT Career Builder’s Toolkit and Building Your I.T. Career, and dozens (hundreds?) of articles on business, technology, automation, strategy, and creativity in The Wall Street Journal’s Career Journal, Windows Professional Magazine, informit.com and other publications, he’s the kind of professional who’s insight into industries beyond music provides a better global view of how things REALLY work! AND he’s a respected songwriter too, who will be listening to your work as well to explain how to find & fit the market you need to be in! PRICELESS Information YOU need NOW. FREE! Check out his website @ https://www.matthewmoranonline.com.
WEDNESDAY April 4, 2018, 7:30-10:00pm: SESAC With JAMES LEACH
Sometimes referred to as “the other P.R.O.” SESAC is actually the biggest & most proactive Performing Rights Organization in the world. With the recent acquisition of the Harry Fox Agency, SESAC is now also a unique “one-stop” for all things songwriting when it comes to clearances, rights, and revenue. HOWEVER… To be a member requires a little more than just writing a song.
Find our more by attending this important seminar, yes as always, we’l be listening too. BRING IT on CD, since this is a field trip, we’re not sure of the sound system yet…
SESAC With JAMES LEACH, VP West Coast Creative Services
2150 Colorado Avenue Suite 150
Santa Monica, CA 90404
WEDNESDAY March 21, 2018, 7:30-10:00pm
ANNUAL SONGNET AWARDS NIGHT and SHOWCASE at the Coffee Gallery. If you’re in L.A., and released a CD in the last year, PLEASE let us know so we can recognize you at this very special showcase event! We know of at least three artists who released CDs last year but they have not contacted us! We want to award you! Unlike the big production awards in which everyone seems to ask each other ‘why did they get all the awards again?’ or ‘why did he jump up and interrupt her acceptance speech’ or just simply channel flip trying not to be bored, the annual SongNet Award goes to those artists that have poured out their energy, blood, sweat, souls, and creativity into a CD package of songs for all to enjoy. If that’s you this year, you’re a winner. Tell us. Please email Jimi directly: jimi@songnet.INFO. The SongNet Songwriter’s Showcase is hosted by Jimi Yamagishi. The Showcase features many different songwriters from local talent to internationals passing through Los Angeles. Sign up early if you want to play- 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. (But buy some great coffee and a snack)
COFFEE GALLERY
2029 Lake Ave. Altadena, 91101 (map)
626-398-7917
BEN MCLANE – GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY MARCH 7, 2018 , 7:30pm -10:00pm
How often have you heard “Get it in writing”, followed by “GET AN ATTORNEY”? if the wrong things are written, getting it in writing isn’t enough! Ben McLane is one of the most active attorneys in the music industry. You’ll find his name in almost every issue of Music Connection magazine, helping to get someone a deal. His website has some of the best free FAQ resources around. He gets it, & gets it done. As the former head of business affairs/CFO for JWP-USA/BMG Records, working legal and business affairs at Rhino Records, Priority Records and as a talent scout for Sire Records, Ben is one of the few attorneys who know both sides of the table well. With Attorney of the Year & more gold & platinum record awards than any wall can handle, his cred list reads like a Billboard top 40 chart. We suggest reading the articles on his site prior to coming so you don’t ask redundant questions. Then, you’ll have some serious specific questions to bring. The kind that usually cost money. Bring your demos & lyric sheets too. If he likes what he hears, you might be next on that client list! Anyone that can afford to give this much away is someone you NEED on YOUR side! He’s releasing “Music Business In 10 Easy Lessons” this month as an e-book, & coming to share his knowledge, answer your questions & listen to your stuff… FREE!
COFFEE GALLERY : BACKSTAGE
2029 Lake Ave. Altadena, 91101 (map)
626-398-7917
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2017 , 7:30-10:00pm
SHOWCASE: Songwriters Show at the Coffee Gallery. The SongNet Songwriter’s Showcase is hosted by Jimi Yamagishi and Stephen GC. The Showcase features many different songwriters from local talent to internationals passing through Los Angeles. Sign up early if you want to play- 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. (But buy some great coffee and a snack) RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
COFFEE GALLERY
2029 Lake Ave. Altadena, 91101 (map)
626-398-7917
TRAVIS ALLEN – GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2018 , 7:30pm -10:00pm
Part of the new cutting edge of the Nashville scene, TRAVIS ALLEN has written out “The Formula”.
Let’s face it, we hear a lot of dumb songs that sell millions. The lyrics are so simple they sound like a 10 year old wrote the song. However, sometimes the hardest part of the craft is writing simple. If you’re an artist, your lyrics are the channel you speak to the world with. After working on thousands of songs & recordings, both at Nashville Tracks & beyond, Travis knows what it takes. It is vital to communicate your lyric in a way that it is not too personal, so that it is universally accepted. Working in the heart of TWO music centers, Nashville & LA, Travis has a unique perspective on this business & how MUSIC is always before BUSINESS if you’re looking for a lasting career in this industry. He’s heard the best, & as an artist himself he knows what happens when the “label system” doesn’t quite deliver the dream.Working In A&R, he understands why some artists are commercially successful, while others, sometimes with more talent, don’t quite “make it”.AND…
HE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR STUFF!
Bring your demos, notepads & dreams to this FREE one-on-one session with TRAVIS ALLEN. You’ll see for yourself how Nashville ain’t just your daddy’s country music any more!
COFFEE GALLERY : BACKSTAGE
2029 Lake Ave. Altadena, 91101 (map)
626-398-7917
JOANNE LEDESMA- GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 3, 2018 , 7:30pm -10:00pm
PITCH NIGHT WITH JOANNE LEDESMA!
Joanne now has one of the largest music libraries around, and is always looking for new music!
We do these a couple times a year, & every time it’s a full house, because not only is it an opportunity to have YOUR work heard by an industry pro, it’s also a great way to meet others, hear what’s out there competing for the same spots, and getting great real-world response from both Joanne and the crowd. Her full cred is listed several places (including links on our website & social media) so you can just go there if you want, or just come with your BEST on CD (lyric sheets too) & see why she is always welcomed back again & again to talk about what it takes to make it & how YOU can make it happen…and maybe have YOUR stuff go home with her!
FREE!
COFFEE GALLERY : BACKSTAGE
2029 Lake Ave. Altadena, 91101 (map)
626-398-7917